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The couple had traded seven days a week after taking over a vacant shed in the concourse, but say they have been told by Chiltern Railways and a management company to provide some services for free in order to continue with the lease.

Following a meeting at the end of last year, they were given until February 27 to close the business and fear that a combination of age and limited opportunities in their industry will make it virtually impossible to find jobs.

Mr Harley said: “The customers have said so many nice things and brought back so many memories of things we’ve said and done. It’s not just been from Birmingham, it’s been from around the world. We’ve have had comments from Australia, New York and Nigeria and they are still flooding in. It’s the people who have spoken, the people who get off the train and say ‘I’ll have a quick bunch for my mum’s birthday’ or another special occasion.”

How plants have been used to brighten up Moor Street (Image: Nick Wilkinson)

Mr Harley, 56, and his wife took over the stand after losing their son Jacob in December 2009, turning it into what they say is Birmingham’s largest small florist.

They also took responsibility for flower containers and arrangements around the precincts, providing the plants at cost price, and carried out similar work at Banbury and Marylebone stations under agreements with Chiltern Railways.

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“Next thing we know we’re being told that if we don’t provide it for free, the shop would be put out for tender.

“We tried to negotiate and provide proper quotes, but we were given notice a week or so later.

“Losing the shop will put us into bankruptcy.

“It’s not like we can go and find work straight away at our age, especially with the floristry and horticultural trades having been so degraded by the supermarket chains.

“We had a good location but we didn’t make vast amounts of money, what we made was a living.”

The couple, from Kings Heath, claim the problems began around three years ago when asset management company Travel Point Trading began collecting their rent, and tried to raise the charge, which they successfully resisted.

Travel Point, which is owned by infrastructure giant Amey, is thought to act on behalf of Chiltern, but the train company would not shed light on the firm’s role in line with its policy of not commenting on individual cases.

The couple claim a station manager who took over for Chiltern in December 2016 wanted them to provide flowers and compost and look after the containers for free, which they had previously done at reduced cost.

Jackie, 58, said: “I’m very upset and shocked. I just can’t believe that after all the work we have done over the past six years and the good relationship we had with Chiltern Railways that it is all going to waste. We had put so much time and energy into it and had built up a community at the station with the staff and customers.

Alan and Jackie Harley (Image: Nick Wilkinson)

“There was no questioning or negotiating with their decision.

“I’m just in complete shock.”

The couple took on the stand after Mr Harley and his eldest son, Joel, spotted the kiosk at Moor Street station around a year after Jacob died.

They put up displays of cacti, house, garden and other plants and the shop featured in the background of Channel 5’s The Gadget Show and a BBC spy drama.

The traders, who also have an adult daughter, want to renew a six-year lease at a comparable rate to other small business owners in Birmingham.

Moor Street Flowers owned by husband and wife Alan and Jackie

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said previously: “As a business we can’t comment on individual cases, however Chiltern Railways aims to provide a wide and interesting selection of appropriate retail facilities at our stations that are able to serve customers year-round.

“Many tenants across the route are small, independent businesses and we are proud of the success that they have achieved.

“Chiltern is a responsible landlord and as a commercial business we work with tenants to ensure a high-quality service is delivered.”

The Birmingham Mail has approached Chiltern for further comment about the petition.